Salinas man found with gun, drugs, deputies say

A 26-year-old Salinas man with gang affiliations was arrested late Friday after he was found with a gun and illegal drugs during a traffic stop, sheriff's deputies said.

Brian Matthew Alderete was pulled over by deputies in the 300 block of Boronda Road about 11:30 p.m., the Sheriff's Office said. Deputies said they noticed the odor of marijuana wafting from the vehicle during the stop.

A search of the car turned up a loaded Smith and Wesson .44-caliber revolver and 1.6 pounds of marijuana, deputies said.

Alderete told deputies he had obtained the gun "somewhere on the street" and said he sells marijuana to support his family, deputies said.

He also admitted to being a member of the La Quinta criminal street gang, deputies said.